Putin announces largest military conscription in 14 years

Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated the largest conscription campaign in 14 years, calling up 160,000 citizens aged 18 to 30 for military service from April 1 to June 15, 2024. This campaign marks a significant increase from previous years, with only 134,500 conscripts in 2022 and 147,000 in 2023. Despite assurances from the Russian Ministry of Defense that conscripts will not be sent to combat zones, past experiences suggest that many end up on the front lines after being compelled to sign contracts. The increase in conscription aligns with broader efforts to bolster the Russian military amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as a recent change raising the upper age limit for conscription from 27 to 30 years. Analysts indicate this move could potentially add over two million eligible conscripts in the coming years. The campaign underscores Russia's strategy to replenish military ranks amid heavy losses in the conflict with Ukraine.